Help me choose a 35mm point and shoot.

BenJT

BenJT

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So guys, I'm looking for a new point and shoot. I have been using a Nikon l35af for the last year and really like it for its quick and easy operation. I want to add another camera with more manual control and a faster lens. Right now Im looking at the Minolta hi matic 7sii and the konica auto s3, but it seems the only program modes on both cameras is shutter priority. I'm wondering if there are any other comparable cameras out there with aperture priority. I would go for the hexar af but don't want to shell out more then $100ish right now. If anyone has any suggestions that would be great.
 
I would consider a Contax G2 if I wanted to spend more money. The yashica electro 35 is another option I suppose, but I would prefer a 35-40mm. I guess another camera I could consider is the konica c35. I realize Im probably am asking too much for $100.
 
when i think point and shoot i imagine a ricoh GR1v (the next camera i'll be getting) and seems to me your more or less looking for an rf with auto exposure and a full manual mode for cheap.

i'd say for a small awesome rf with an auto exposure mode (shutter priority) and full manual control get an olympus 35 rc. i have one and the lens is extremely sharp and it's very small and unobtrusive. for big rf's with ae i'd say konica auto s2 or a yashica electro 35
 
Well yeah I guess I am looking for a fixed lens (35-40mm f1.7-2.0) rangefinder, but one that offers full manual control as well as an aperture priority mode, Shutter priority would be fine if the camera would at least indicate what aperture it chooses. Thanks for all the suggestions.
 
You want a P&S to replace a fixed-lens RF camera? 😕

In any event... when it comes to P&S, Nikon 35ti comes to mind; it's a nice camera with a 35mm f2.8 lens, matrix metering, aperture control, titanium body and panorama function. Only problem: it will run you at least $300 (relax, they used to sell for one grand).

Otherwise, I'd advise an Olympus, but the VF is a tunnel, with or without zooming.
 
Ben Totman said:
Well yeah I guess I am looking for a fixed lens (35-40mm f1.7-2.0) rangefinder, but one that offers full manual control as well as an aperture priority mode, Shutter priority would be fine if the camera would at least indicate what aperture it chooses. Thanks for all the suggestions.
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other than the yashica i don't know any other aperture priority rfs

the 35 rc indicates shutter speed and the aperture in the viewfinder but is only a 2.8 and it's not known to be the best low light performer but most rf's dont seem to be anyways... the konica auto s2 doesn't display the aperture it chooses when you use auto exposure i think but has a sharp lens and is a 1.8 i believe

i would still consider the 35 rc if the 2.8 aperture doesn't scare you. i am by no means a "pro" photographer but i like the results i get with my oly
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Ben Totman said:
Well yeah I guess I am looking for a fixed lens (35-40mm f1.7-2.0) rangefinder, but one that offers full manual control as well as an aperture priority mode, Shutter priority would be fine if the camera would at least indicate what aperture it chooses. Thanks for all the suggestions.
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Olympus RC or most of the other Olympus fixed-lens rangefinders, including the XA, will display aperture in the viewfinder. The XA is aperture priority.
 
Let me be a dissenting voice on the Yashica Electros. They are huge, the ergonomics are horrible, and half the time you buy one it's either broken or about to be broken.

if you want an aperture priority point and shoot, you will have to spend more money. Possibly a LOT more money.
 
It might be worth looking at the Fuji Klasse or Rollei AFM35 (basically the same camera). I was lucky and picked mine up for approximately $100 (or the UK equivalent). Aperture priority and program modes, and an f2.6 lens.
 
matt_mcg2 said:
Let me be a dissenting voice on the Yashica Electros. They are huge, the ergonomics are horrible, and half the time you buy one it's either broken or about to be broken.
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There are Electro and...Electro. Don't engage with G/GS/GSN series, they are nice but large and of size and weight of SLR /w lens attached.

Trick is to find Electro GX or CC/CCN, 40mm and 35mm lenses, respectively. Smaller and lighter than large G-series beast. This are cameras to carry around. If they are very clean and pretty, probably $100 isn't too common, well, maybe stretch budget up to $150. User grade cameras aren't unreal for a hundred. Buy from someone who has used it for photography not display. That thing has to work properly. This is why you pay $125 instead of $15.

If one buys nice 40 years old camera for $10 at yard sale and expects it to be fully working without service - don't fool yourself. Service it or pay for someone to do it for you, and enjoy camera. No one expects car will run flawlessly after sitting 3-5 years without any use, not speaking about 40 years, right? So why camera should. There's no free lunch, guys. Well, it happens from time to time, but don't take it as guaranteed 🙂

P.S. I wouldn't call 7S II or KAS3 exactly a P&S, but that's matter of terminology, right? If we know what we discuss, terms aren't cut in stone.
 
I'll second the Rollei AFM35. Great meter, great lens. Contrasty and sharp and a pleasure to use. I did go through a P&S high end phase. The Rollei is the only high end P&S I've kept. I had, but got rid of a Ricoh GR1v, Minolta TC-1, Leica CM, Leica Minilux, Contax T2, Contax T3.

The only one I'd consider getting again would be the Contax T2. That camera is pure heaven to hold and use.

Good luck with your search!

Paul
 
Let me be a dissenting voice on the Yashica Electros. They are huge, the ergonomics are horrible, and half the time you buy one it's either broken or about to be broken.
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Amen brother!

I currently like the Olympus XA (the original, rangefinder, model). pocketable, tough, reasonable finder.
 
If you can get beyond the "$100ish"-problem, I would suggest you get the best small P&S camera out there: Contax T3
 
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either an Olympux XA or a Rollei 35, or if you want a more point and shoot cmera for real where you just set the focus zone, a russian used Lomo LC-A.

these are $150 tops.
 
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